Probiotic Formulations for Improving Athletic Performance

ABSTRACT

A probiotic formulation is provided including one or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genus  Veillonella , genus  Faecalibacterium , genus  Phascolarctobacteria , genus  Oscillospira , genus  Ruminococcus , genus  Bacteroides , genus  Blautia , family Christensenellaceae, genus  Dialister , or phylum cyanobacteria.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/320,787 filed on Apr. 11, 2016, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

The present invention relates in general to combinations, compositionsand formulations including one or more of a probiotic for improvingathletic performance.

BACKGROUND

Some 100 trillion microorganisms inhabit and colonize the human gut(Berg, R. D. “The indigenous gastrointestinal microflora.” TrendsMicrobiol 4:430-5. 14 (1996); Young, V. B., and Schmidt, T. M. “Overviewof the gastrointestinal microbiota.” Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 635:29-40(2008)). These commensal organisms serve a wide range of functionsincreasingly recognized as mutualistic and indispensable for the healthof the host, including proper digestion, metabolism, and importantly,colonization resistance against pathogens (Guarner, F. “Enteric flora inhealth and disease.” Digestion 73 Suppl 1:5-12 (2006)).

Probiotic formulations exist as dietary supplements. Probiotics can beeither resident or transient. Resident probiotic bacterial strains liveand reproduce in each person's digestive tract. Transient probioticbacterial strains typically are introduced into the body throughingested food or by means of dietary supplements. However, it would bedesirable to create a probiotic formulation that is tailored to athletesto help improve athletic training, performance and recovery.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides combinations, compositions and formulationsincluding one or more of a probiotic. The probiotic improves athleticperformance. The disclosure provides a probiotic formulation includingone or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of thegenus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria,genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genusBlautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylumcyanobacteria. The disclosure provides a method of altering bacterialspecies within a human including increasing population of the one ormore bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species identified herein.The disclosure provides a method of supplementing bacterial specieswithin a human before, during, or after physical activity includingincreasing population of one or more bacteria, bacterial strains orbacterial species identified herein. The disclosure provides a method ofincreasing or maintaining training endurance or performance endurance ofa human including increasing population of one or more bacteria,bacterial strains or bacterial species identified herein. The disclosureprovides a method of improving or maintaining athletic training,performance or recovery by a human during physical activity includingincreasing population of one or more bacteria, bacterial strains orbacterial species identified herein. The disclosure provides a method ofrecovering from physical activity resulting in inflammation andincreased lactate levels comprising increasing a population of one ormore bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species identified herein.

Further features and advantages of certain embodiments of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent in the following descriptionof embodiments and drawings thereof, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee. The foregoing and other features and advantages ofthe present embodiments will be more fully understood from the followingdetailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A depicts data demonstrating higher amount of Veillonella in anathlete after a race and before a race compared to a control.

FIG. 1B depicts Veillonella abundance in an athlete one day afterrunning a race.

FIG. 1C depicts data demonstrating higher amount of Faecalibacterium inan athlete after a race and before a race compared to a control.

FIG. 2A depicts data demonstrating lower amount of Phascolarctobacteriain an athlete after a race and before a race compared to a control.

FIG. 2B depicts data demonstrating lower amount of Oscillospira in anathlete after a race and before a race compared to a control.

FIG. 2C depicts data demonstrating lower amount of Ruminococcus in anathlete after a race compared and before a race compared to a control.

FIG. 3A depicts data demonstrating lower amount Bacteroides in anathlete after a race compared and before a race compared to a control.

FIG. 3B depicts data demonstrating lower amount of Blautia in an athletecompared to a control.

FIG. 3C depicts data demonstrating lower amounts of Christensenellaceaein an athlete after a race and before a race compared to a control.

FIG. 4A depicts data demonstrating higher amount of Dialister in anathlete compared to a control.

FIG. 4B depicts data demonstrating higher amount of Cyanobacteria in anathlete compared to a control.

FIG. 5 is a summary of bacteria altered between study groups.

FIG. 6A is depicts data demonstrating reduction in bacteriaparticipating in the xenobiotic metabolism pathway.

FIG. 6B depicts data demonstrating reduction in bacteria participatingin the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway.

FIG. 7 depicts data of bacterial enrichment when incubated on a lactateagar plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides combinations, compositions andformulations including one or more of a probiotic. The probiotic is oneor more of a nonpathogenic bacterial phylum, family, genus, species orstrain as identified herein as being included within the microbiome ofan individual, such as an athlete. The probiotic is a mixture of two ormore of a nonpathogenic bacterial phylum, family, genus, species orstrain as identified herein as being included within the microbiome ofan individual, such as an athlete. The disclosure provides administeringan effective amount of the probiotic to the individual, such as anathlete. The disclosure provides administering an effective amount ofthe probiotic to the individual, such as an athlete, to alter one ormore bacterial phylum, family, genus, species or strain within theindividual. The disclosure provides administering an effective amount ofthe probiotic to the individual, such as an athlete, to supplement oneor more bacterial phylum, family, genus, species or strain within theindividual. The disclosure provides administering an effective amount ofthe probiotic to the individual, such as an athlete, to increasetraining endurance or performance endurance of the individual. Thedisclosure provides administering an effective amount of the probioticto the individual, such as an athlete, to improve recovery of theindividual during or after physical activity. The disclosure providesadministering an effective amount of the probiotic to the individual,such as an athlete, to improve recovery of the individual during orafter physical activity resulting in inflammation and increased lactatelevels. The disclosure provides administering an effective amount of theprobiotic to the individual, such as an athlete, to reduce lactatelevels in the individual during or after physical activity generatingincreased lactate levels. The disclosure provides administering aneffective amount of the probiotic to the individual, such as an athlete,to reduce inflammation in the individual during or after physicalactivity generating inflammation. The disclosure provides administeringan effective amount of the probiotic to the individual, such as anathlete, to increase energy metabolism in the individual during physicalactivity. The disclosure provides administering an effective amount ofthe probiotic to the individual, such as an athlete, to promote weightloss or fitness.

The disclosure provides a combination of one or more or all of thebacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genusVeillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genusOscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia,family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria ina formulation. For example, the disclosure provides a formulation toinclude all of a bacteria, bacterial strain or bacterial species of thegenus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria,genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genusBlautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, and phylumcyanobacteria, or any subset combination thereof.

Probiotics are dead or live non-toxic microbial food supplements thatcan beneficially affect a host by improving the host's gut or intestinalmicrobial balance, composition and/or functionality without causingdisease. The disclosure provides determination of an exemplarymicrobiome of an athlete and a non-athlete. The disclosure providescomparison of the exemplary microbiome of an athlete and a non-athlete.The disclosure provides identification of bacterial phylum, family,genus, species or strain that is increased or decreased as a result ofphysical activity. The disclosure provides identification of a probioticformulation including one or more bacterial phylum, family, genus,species or strain that are increased or decreased as a result ofphysical activity.

The term “athlete” may refer to a person who is proficient in sports andother forms of physical exercise or a person who is trained or skilledin exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility,endurance, speed or stamina or a person who possesses above averagephysical skills such as strength, agility, endurance, speed or staminaand is suited for physical competition.

The term “physical exercise” may refer to any bodily activity thatenhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness.It is performed for various reasons, including strengthening muscles andthe cardiovascular system, honing athletic ability or skills, weightloss or maintenance, and merely enjoyment.

“Increasing or maintaining training endurance or performance endurance”refers to a comparison of training endurance or performance enduranceusing objective factors for a particular individual. Such objectivefactors may include ability to continue a particular exercise ortraining event over a given period of time. Such exercises or trainingevents are known to those of skill in the art and can be determinedbased on the particular athletic event or sport engaged in by theindividual.

“Improving or maintaining athletic training, performance or recovery”refers to a comparison of athletic training, performance or recoveryusing objective factors for a particular individual. Such objectivefactors may include ability to continue a particular exercise ortraining event over a given period of time. Such exercises or trainingevents are known to those of skill in the art and can be determinedbased on the particular athletic event or sport engaged in by theindividual. Such objective recovery factors include the length of timeit takes for an individual to perform at the same or similar levelbetween an athletic event, training, performance or physical activity.

Probiotic Compositions or Formulations Information from one or more ofthe following disclosures as is known to those of skill in the art andas described herein may be useful in the practice of the presentdisclosure: 2015/0351442, 2015/0335577, 2015/0305385, 2015/0290261,2015/0246081, 2015/0203378, 2015/0071890, 2014/0356329, 2014/0324454,2014/0242050, 2014/0242034, 2013/0295226, 2013/0280225, 2013/0273155,2013/0273016.

Probiotic organisms, in general do not permanently colonize the bodybecause of alteration antibiotic treatments, for example. Probiotics areintended as a supplement and are generally ingested regularly foreffects to be maintained or persist. After ingestion, probioticstypically adhere to a tissue of the host, such as the wall of theintestine or gut or other tissue. Once attached, the desirable bacteriaare capable of multiplying and colonizing, thereby enhancing optimalmicroflora balance. They are used to promote healthy microflora balancein the lower GI tract and healthy pH balance (yeast fungus) in the oralcavity, large intestine and vaginal tract and minimize microbialimbalance or dysbiosis. Certain probiotics can have, but are not limitedto, the following characteristics: (1) from human origin; (2) stable andviable, gastric and bile acid resistant; (3) effectively adhere to andcolonizing at the site of action; (4) compete with pathogens foradhesion sites; and (5) produce pathogen inhibitory substances, e.g.bacteriocidins and organic acids.

Probiotics are sometimes combined with prebiotics (where the combinationmay be referred to as “symbiotic”) which include one or morenon-digestible dietary supplements, which modify the balance of theintestinal micro flora, stimulating the growth and/or activity ofbeneficial microorganisms and suppressing potentially deleteriousmicroorganisms. Exemplary supplements include oligosaccharides(fructo-oligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides); Inulin, Lactulose,Lactitol and select bacterial strains that produce nutrients thatpromote the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as within the intestinaltract. The disclosure provides that prebiotics promote within anindividual the proliferation of one or more of the bacterial phylum,family, genus, species or strain as identified herein as being includedwithin the microbiome of an individual, such as an athlete.

The term “nonpathogenic” is intended to mean a microbial species forwhich no pathology of the host associated with its presence has beendemonstrated (strain GRAS=Generally Recognized As Safe).

The terms “microorganism” or “microbe” in certain instances may refer toan organism of microscopic size, to a single-celled organism, and/or toany virus particle. The definition of microorganism used herein includesBacteria, Archaea, single-celled Eukaryotes (protozoa, fungi, andciliates), and viral agents.

The term “microbial” in certain instances may refer to processes orcompositions of microorganisms, thus a “microbial-based product” is acomposition that includes microorganisms, cellular components of themicroorganisms, and/or metabolites produced by the microorganisms.Microorganisms can exist in various states and occur in vegetative,dormant, or spore states. Microorganisms can also occur as either motileor non-motile, and may be found as planktonic cells (unattached),substrate affixed cells, cells within colonies, or cells within abiofilm.

The term “prebiotic” in certain instances may refer to food ingredientsor bacterial producing ingredients that are not readily digestible byendogenous host enzymes and confer beneficial effects on an organismthat consumes them by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activityof a limited range of beneficial microorganisms, such as those that areassociated with the intestinal tract. Also the term includes one or morelive microorganisms that confer beneficial effects on a host organism.Benefits derived from the establishment of probiotic microorganismswithin the digestive tract include reduction of pathogen load, improvedmicrobial fermentation patterns, improved nutrient absorption, improvedimmune function, improved intestinal hormonal signaling and metabolicregulation, aided digestion, increasing training endurance orperformance endurance, reducing lactate levels in a human during orafter physical activity generating increased lactate levels, reducinginflammation within a human resulting from physical activity, increasingenergy metabolism within a human during physical activity, improvingathletic training, performance or recovery by a human during physicalactivity, recovering from physical activity resulting in inflammationand increased lactate levels, or promoting weight loss or fitness.

The term “Symbiotic” in certain instances may refer to a compositionthat contains both probiotics and prebiotics. Symbiotic compositions arethose in which the prebiotic compound selectively favors the probioticmicroorganism.

The disclosure provides a probiotic composition or formulation includingat least one phylum, family, genus, species or strain of bacteria,preferably from 1 to 30, and more preferably from about 10 to 25different phylum, family, genus, species or strain of bacteria. Thephylum, family, genus, species or strain of bacteria is generallypresent in a pre-determined location within the gastrointestinal tractof a subject and preferably the pre-determined location is the ileum orcolon or gut. It is to be understood that the species of bacteria may bedifferent or just include different strains of the same species.

The probiotic formulation comprises a mixture of bacterial genera thatis reflective of the mixture of strains derived from the ileum of anindividual, such as a healthy individual, such as an athlete. Anexemplary probiotic includes the number of organisms being provided,administered or released is more than 10⁶ and less than 10¹².Preferably, the providing, administration or release of the organisms ofthe probiotic formulation is in the distal segments of thegastrointestinal tract including the ileum and colon of a subject. Aneffective probiotic formulation comprises a live bacterial suspensionincluding one or more of the following bacterial species: genusVeillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genusOscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia,family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria.

Making Probiotic Compositions or Formulations

One or more bacterial organisms, such as one or more of genusVeillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genusOscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia,family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria maybe mixed together by conventional methods to form a composition orformulation and formed into an ingestible liquid medium, a gel medium, afood stuff, a food product, a freeze dried product or powder, a yogurt,a pill, a tablet, a capsule, a gelatin capsule, a caplet, a chewableformulation, a dissolvable formulation and the like, such as for oraladministration. The disclosure provides a probiotic composition orformulation that may also contain conventional food supplement fillersand extenders such as, for example, a flour, a binder, a neutraceuticalcompound or formulation, a prebiotic, an amino acid, a vitamin, or amineral.

The disclosure provides that the one or more probiotic bacterialorganisms may be microencapsulated to provide a release profile thattargets replacement or revision of one or more species of live bacteriaat a pre-determined location within the gastrointestinal tract of amammal. Such microencapsulation formulations and techniques may protectthe live probiotic organisms from the digestive actions of the stomach,duodenum, and jejunum of the intestine and allow administration,delivery or release to the gut or ileum of an individual.Microencapsulated live probiotic organisms and formulations thereof areprovided herein in various dosage forms, and they can be co-administeredwith drugs, foods, nutrients, vitamins, other beneficial substances,prebiotics, and other therapeutic agents such as pH encapsulatedglucose, lipids or proteins that release in the distal small intestineat pH values between 7.0 and 8.0 in an amount sufficient to alleviatesaid disorder in a subject. Preferably, at least two coating are used tocover a tablet or capsule like form comprising the probiotic organism,wherein the outside coating is degraded in a pH environment of 5 to 6and the inside coating is degraded in a pH environment of about 7thereby dropping the probiotics in the ileum area and in close proximityto the Peyer's Patches. An exemplary coating may include one or more ofpoly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide, chitosan, casein, chitosan (Chi)stabilized with PVA (poly-vinylic alcohol), a lipid, an alginate,carboxymethylethylcellulose (CMEC), cellulose acetate trimellitiate(CAT), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP),hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, color con, food glazeand mixtures of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose,polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP), cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP),shellac, copolymers of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate, andcopolymers of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate to which a monomer ofmethylacrylate has been added during polymerization,

The disclosure provides for a probiotic composition that may be referredto, for example, as a nutritional composition or as a pharmaceuticalcomposition. A nutritional composition may include the probioticcomposition and may be consumed in any form, such as a food product. Apharmaceutical composition may include the probiotic composition incombination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier which may includeone or more excipients. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers orexcipients are well known in the pharmaceutical art, and are described,for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co.(A. R. Gennaro edit. 1985). For example, saline and phosphate-bufferedsaline at physiological pH may be used. Stabilizers, dyes and evenflavoring agents may be provided in the nutritional or pharmaceuticalcompositions describe herein.

The disclosure provides for a probiotic composition that may beadministered orally, in the form of capsules, tablets, powders,granules, solutions, or suspensions. The at least one bacterial phylum,family, genus, species or strain can be mixed with conventionalexcipients, such as gelatin, starch, lactose, magnesium stearate, talc,gum arabic and the like. It may also be advantageous to use lessconventional excipients that, for example, make it possible to increasethe ability of the at least one bacterial phylum, family, genus, speciesor strain used to be active in the gut. For example, cellobiose,maltose, mannose, salicine, trehalose, amygdalin, arabinose, melobiose,rhamnose and/or xylose may be added. This list is not exhaustive and thesubstrates are chosen and adapted as a function of the phylum, family,genus, species or strain considered.

The probiotic composition or formulation may be combined with a drug,acetaminophen, foods, nutrients, vitamins, beneficial substances,prebiotics, pH encapsulated glucose, lipids or proteins that release incombination with the probiotics or in a pH of from about 1 to 6 andbefore the release of the probiotics. Also the probiotic formulation mayalso be co-administered with an antibiotic selected from the groupconsisting of vancomycin, metronidazole, gentamicin, colistin,fidaxomicin, telavancin, oritavancin, dalbavancin and daptomycin.

The disclosure provides a probiotic composition that may include asubstrate that may promote growth of the at least one phylum, family,genus, species or strain present in the composition. Thus, thecomposition may include at least one additive which promotes theactivity of the at least one strain in the digestive environment.

The disclosure provides a kit including one or more phylum, family,genus, species or strain of bacteria described herein, which may be incomposition or formulation or encapsulated form, or powder, or pill ortablet or capsule and the like and may be provided within a container,and with a device for measuring units of the composition or formulationand with instructions for administration of the composition orformulation to an individual, such as an athlete.

Suitable dosages of a probiotic composition or formulation may beprovided orally at a dosage rate of about 100 milligrams to 800milligrams per day. Preferably, the dosage rate, effective as a foodsupplement and for reestablishing beneficial bacteria in the intestinaltract is between about 200 to 400 milligrams per day.

Bacterial strains useful according to the subject invention may beobtained commercially and/or produced by a fermentation process and,optionally, drying. The phylum, family, genus, species or strain may begrown on a suitable medium, under conditions of strict anaerobiosis, inthe presence of a carbon-based substrate and/or a carbon based energysource; the bacterial cells are recovered; the bacterial cells arepackaged. The bacterial cells may be recovered by centrifugation, forexample between 10,000 g and 15,000 g, advantageously 12,000 g, for 15to 20 minutes. The bacterial cells may be washed in, for example, ananaerobic phosphate buffer, by resuspension of the cells, agitation, anda further centrifugation step.

The disclosure provides that the one or more phylum, family, genus,species or strain of bacteria described herein may be in a dried form.The drying of bacterial strains after production by fermentation isknown to those of skill in the art and includes EP 0 818 529 herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety, where a drying process ofpulverization is described. Additional methods are described in WO0144440, which is also incorporated by reference in its entirety.Bacterial microorganisms described herein are concentrated from a mediumand dried by spray drying, fluidized bed drying, lyophilization (freezedrying) or other drying process. Micro-organisms can be mixed, forexample, with a carrier material such as a carbohydrate such as sucrose,lactose or maltodextrin, a lipid or a protein, for example milk powderduring or before the drying.

The disclosure provides that the phylum, family, genus, species orstrain of bacteria described herein need not necessarily be present in adried form. It may also be suitable to mix the bacteria directly afterfermentation with a food product and, optionally, perform a dryingprocess thereafter. Such an approach is disclosed in PCT/EP02/01504)which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Likewise, aprobiotic composition as described herein may also be consumed directlyafter fermentation. Further processing, for example, for the sake of themanufacture of convenient food products, is not a precondition for thebeneficial properties of the bacterial strains provided in the probioticcomposition.

The disclosure provides for the consumption of a probiotic compositiondescribed herein in the form of a fermented, dairy product, such as achilled dairy product, a yogurt, or a fresh cheese. If the bacterialstrain is added to a nutritional formula, the skilled person is aware ofthe possibilities to achieve this. Dried, for example, spray driedbacteria, such as obtainable by the process disclosed in EP 0 818 529(which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) may be addeddirectly to a nutritional formula in powdered form or to any other foodproduct. For example, a powdered preparation of the bacterial strain(s)of the invention may be added to a nutritional formula, breakfastcereals, salads, a slice of bread prior to consumption.

The probiotic composition described herein may be added to a liquidproduct, for example, a beverage or a drink. If it is intended toconsume the bacteria in an actively-growing state, the liquid productcomprising the bacterial strain(s) should be consumed relatively quicklyupon addition of the bacteria. However, if the bacteria are added to ashelf-stable product, quick consumption may not be necessary, so long asthe bacterial strain(s) are stable in the beverage or the drink.

The probiotic composition described herein may be dried with a foodproduct as described in WO 98/10666, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Accordingly, the subject bacterial strain(s)may be dried at the same time with juices, milk-based products orvegetable milks, for example, yielding a dried product alreadycomprising probiotics. This product may later be reconstituted with anaqueous liquid.

Although it is not mandatory, probiotic bacteria may be consumed in theliving state with the intention that the probiotic micro-organismsarrive intactly in the small and large intestines the latter of whichmay be colonized. If this is the case, a sufficient dose of bacteria isusually consumed per day in order to achieve successful colonization.The skilled person is aware of daily doses, which depend on themicro-organisms but generally are in the range of 10⁶ to 10¹⁴, or 10⁷ to10¹³ cfu per day. Suitable dosage amounts for probiotic organisms may,for example, vary from about 10⁵ to 10¹² organisms, typically about 10⁶based on the numbers of organisms found in the ileum of the individual.Similarly, delivery of compounds provided herein will be specific toparticular cells, conditions, and locations, such as ileum. In general,dosage is from tablets, capsules, granules and microgranules, powders,liquids and alike, and which may be given in single or multiple doses,once or more daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or even less frequently.

The disclosure provides that dead or living probiotics, their medium,substrate or metabolites may be directly added to food products in thesame or a similar way as set forth above for living probiotics morespecifically. The fermented medium, substrate or metabolites may beseparated from the bacteria after fermentation by centrifugation orfiltration, for example. The supernatant or the filtrate may then beconcentrated, chilled, frozen, dried, for example, spray dried ordirectly used for enteral administration to an individual. If fermentedmedium is dried, it may be powdered and, as described above for theliving bacterial strain(s), added to any food product.

The disclosure provides methods of identifying bacterialphylum/genus/species/strains as probiotics and/or diagnostics for sportsperformance and recovery, for example for use by athletes. Suchprobiotics increase training endurance or performance endurance, reducelactate levels during or after physical activity generating increasedlactate levels, reduce inflammation resulting from physical activity,increase energy metabolism during physical activity, improve athletictraining, performance or recovery during physical activity, improverecovery from physical activity resulting in inflammation and increasedlactate levels, promoting weight loss or fitness, improve activity ofthe xenobiotic metabolism pathway or that improve the starch and sucrosemetabolism pathway. The disclosure provides a method of modulatingbacterial phylum/genus/species/strains for optimizing sports performanceand recovery, such as for example by using food, prebiotics, smallmolecules, etc. that promote the microbiome of the athlete. Thedisclosure provides for the use of animals for personalized performanceand recovery models, such as by transplanting athlete microbiomes intogerm free mice and then screening recipient animals with diets,supplements, prebiotics, small molecules, etc. (and combinationsthereof) for promotion of optimal microbiome composition.

The disclosure provides for the identification of bacteria significantlyaltered in abundance or activity, within athletes and/or distinct fromsedentary controls, for use as either a performance biomarker or to bedelivered as a probiotic to aid athletic performance and recovery,including being altered or provided or increased through administrationof food products and supplements, prebiotics, and/or small molecules.The disclosure provides methods of altering metabolic pathways that arealtered within athletes and/or distinct from controls by theadministration of bacteria as a probiotic. The disclosure providesmethods of identifying or otherwise determining which bacterial speciescan serve as performance and recovery probiotics or which can be alteredthrough food, supplements, prebiotics, and/or small molecules. Thedisclosure provides methods of improving athlete performance byincreasing lactate threshold, and thus preventing fatigue, by utilizinglactate fermenting bacteria as a probiotic from the genus Viellonella,Oscilospira, and Ruminococcus—independently or in combination as well asin conjunction with lactate producing probiotics, such as lactobacillus.The disclosure provides methods of improving recovery from inflammationin athletes after performance/exercise by utilizing bacteria as aprobiotic from the genus' Dialister, Phascolarctobacterium, Bacteroides,Faecalibacterium, and Blautia—either independently or in combination.

The disclosure provides a probiotic formulation including one or morebacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genusVeillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genusOscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia,family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria.The disclosure provides that the probiotic formulation includes bacteriaof the genus Veillonella and genus Faecalibacterium. The disclosureprovides that the probiotic formulation includes bacteria of the genusPhascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genusBacteroides, genus Blautia, and family Christensenellaceae. Thedisclosure provides that the probiotic formulation includes bacteria ofthe genus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Dialister, andphylum cyanobacteria. The disclosure provides that the probioticformulation includes bacteria of the genus Veillonella, genusFaecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genusRuminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia, familyChristensenellaceae, genus Dialister, and phylum cyanobacteria. Thedisclosure provides that each of the one or more bacterial species ofthe probiotic formulation are present in the formulation in an equalamount by weight. The disclosure provides that each of the one or morebacterial species of the probiotic formulation are present in theformulation in an amount of between about 10 to about 90 weight percentto achieve a total weight percent of 100. The disclosure provides thatthe one or more bacterial species of the probiotic are live bacteria ordead bacteria. The disclosure provides that the probiotic formulationfurther includes a prebiotic, an amino acid, a vitamin, or a mineral.The disclosure provides that the probiotic formulation is in aningestible liquid medium. The disclosure provides that the probioticformulation is in a food stuff or food product. The disclosure providesthat the probiotic formulation is in the form of a freeze dried powder.The disclosure provides that the probiotic formulation is in a yogurt.The disclosure provides that the probiotic formulation is in a pill ortablet. The disclosure provides that the probiotic formulation is in achewable formulation. The disclosure provides that the probioticformulation is in a dissolvable formulation. The disclosure providesthat the probiotic formulation includes one or more neutraceuticalcompounds. The disclosure provides that the probiotic formulationincludes the one or more bacterial species in an amount sufficient toincrease the population of the one or more bacterial species within anindividual.

The disclosure provides a method of altering one or more bacteria,bacterial strains or bacterial species within a human by increasingpopulation of one or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterialspecies from the genus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genusPhascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genusBacteroides, genus Blautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister,or phylum cyanobacteria. The disclosure provides that the one or morebacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genusVeillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genusOscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia,family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria areadministered to the human. The disclosure provides that one or moreprebiotics are administered to the human which increase the populationof one or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of thegenus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria,genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genusBlautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylumcyanobacteria.

The disclosure provides a method of supplementing bacteria, bacterialstrains or bacterial species within a human before, during, or afterphysical activity by increasing population of one or more bacteria,bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genusFaecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genusRuminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia, familyChristensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria. Thedisclosure provides that the one or more bacteria, bacterial strains orbacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium,genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus,genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia, family Christensenellaceae, genusDialister, or phylum cyanobacteria are administered to the human. Thedisclosure provides that one or more prebiotics are administered to thehuman which increase the population of one or more bacteria, bacterialstrains or bacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genusFaecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genusRuminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia, familyChristensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria.

The disclosure provides a method of increasing or maintaining trainingendurance or performance endurance of a human by increasing populationof one or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of thegenus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria,genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genusBlautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylumcyanobacteria. The disclosure provides that the one or more bacteria,bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genusFaecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genusRuminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia, familyChristensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria areadministered to the human. The disclosure provides that one or moreprebiotics are administered to the human which increase the populationof one or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of thegenus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria,genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genusBlautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylumcyanobacteria.

The disclosure provides a method of reducing lactate levels in a humanduring or after physical activity generating increased lactate levels byincreasing within the human one or more bacteria, bacterial strains orbacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genus Oscillospira, or genusRuminococcus. The disclosure provides that the one or more bacteria,bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genusOscillospira, or genus Ruminococcus are administered to the human. Thedisclosure provides that one or more prebiotics are administered to thehuman which increase the population of one or more bacteria, bacterialstrains or bacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genusOscillospira, or genus Ruminococcus.

The disclosure provides a method of reducing inflammation within a humanresulting from physical activity by increasing within the human one ormore bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genusFaecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Bacteroides, genusBlautia or genus Dialister. The disclosure provides that the one or morebacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genusFaecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Bacteroides, genusBlautia or genus Dialister are administered to the human. The disclosureprovides that one or more prebiotics are administered to the human whichincrease the population of one or more bacteria, bacterial strains orbacterial species of the genus Faecalibacterium, genusPhascolarctobacteria, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia or genusDialister.

The disclosure provides a method of increasing energy metabolism withina human during physical activity by administering to the human thephylum cyanobacteria.

The disclosure provides a method of improving or maintaining athletictraining, performance or recovery by a human during physical activity byincreasing population of one or more bacteria, bacterial strains orbacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium,genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus,genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia, family Christensenellaceae, genusDialister, or phylum cyanobacteria. The disclosure provides that the oneor more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genusVeillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genusOscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia,family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria areadministered to the human.

The disclosure provides that one or more prebiotics are administered tothe human which increase the population of one or more bacteria,bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genusFaecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genusRuminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia, familyChristensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria.

The disclosure provides a method of recovering from physical activityresulting in inflammation and increased lactate levels by increasing apopulation of one or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterialspecies of the genus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genusPhascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genusBacteroides, genus Blautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister,or phylum cyanobacteria within a human. The disclosure provides that theone or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of thegenus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria,genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genusBlautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylumcyanobacteria are administered to the human. The disclosure providesthat one or more prebiotics are administered to the human which increasethe population of one or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterialspecies of the genus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genusPhascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genusBacteroides, genus Blautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister,or phylum cyanobacteria.

The disclosure provides a method of promoting weight loss or fitness bya human by increasing a population of bacteria, bacterial strains orbacterial species from the family Christensenellaceae within the human.The disclosure provides that the bacteria, bacterial strains orbacterial species of the family Christensenellaceae is administered tothe human. The disclosure provides that a prebiotic is administered tothe human which increases the population of one or more bacteria,bacterial strains or bacterial species of the familyChristensenellaceae.

The disclosure provides an animal model including one or more bacteria,bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genusFaecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genusRuminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia, familyChristensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria whichrepresent the microbiome of an athlete.

The disclosure provides a method of screening a compound that modulatesthe microbiome of an athlete by administering a test compound to ananimal including one or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterialspecies of the genus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genusPhascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genusBacteroides, genus Blautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister,or phylum cyanobacteria, and determining the level of the one or morebacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genusVeillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genusOscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia,family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, and phylum cyanobacteria.The disclosure provides that the test compound is present in a food, abeverage or a supplement.

The disclosure provides a method of supplementing the microbiome of anathlete after exercise by administering one or more bacteria, bacterialstrains or bacterial species that improve activity of the xenobioticmetabolism pathway of the athlete.

The disclosure provides a method of supplementing the microbiome of anathlete after exercise by administering one or more bacteria, bacterialstrains or bacterial species that improve the starch and sucrosemetabolism pathway of the athlete.

The disclosure provides a method of determining bacterial species eitheruniquely associated with, altered in abundance within, or altered inactivity within a first individual with a regular exercise regimencompared to a control individual without a regular exercise regimenincluding sequencing a first fecal sample from the first individual toidentity the bacterial species present and active in the first fecalsample, sequencing a control fecal sample from the control individual toidentity the bacterial species present and active in the control fecalsample, and comparing the bacterial species present and active in thefirst fecal sample to the bacterial species present and active in thecontrol fecal sample to identify bacterial species increased ordecreased in the first fecal sample compared to the control fecalsample. The disclosure provides that the bacterial species altered inactivity is determined by altered RNA expression or altered metaboliteexpression. The disclosure provides that the identified bacterialspecies are candidate probiotics for administration to an athlete toimprove training, performance or recovery. The disclosure provides thatthe identified bacterial species are candidate biomarkers of athletictraining, athletic performance or recovery from physical activityresulting in inflammation and increased lactate levels. The disclosureprovides that the identified bacterial species are candidate biomarkersof personalized nutrition.

The terms and expressions that have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intent in the use ofsuch terms and expressions to exclude any equivalent of the featuresreported and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized thatvarious modifications are possible within the scope of the invention asclaimed. Thus, it will be understood that although the presentdisclosure includes preferred embodiments and optional features,modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may beresorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications andvariations are considered to be within the scope of the appended claims.

The following examples are set forth as being representative of thepresent disclosure. These examples are not to be construed as limitingthe scope of the present disclosure as these and other equivalentembodiments will be apparent in view of the present disclosure, figuresand accompanying claims.

Example I Experimental Design

To identify bacteria associated with athletic performance and recoverystates, participants running the 2015 Boston marathon were recruited toprovide fecal samples on a daily basis up to one week before and oneweek after the event. To identify bacteria that are either enriched ordiminished specifically in athletes, control sedentary participants—whoidentified as not regularly exercising, were also recruited to providesamples for up to two weeks for comparison.

Methods

Fecal Sample Collection

Study participants collected their own samples in private by dipping thewide end of a 1 ml pipette tip into fecal material, placing into a 15 mlfalcon tube, and then storing at 4° C. until time of pickup—which rangedfrom the day of to 2 days after collection. Samples were placed at −80°C. for long term storage.

16s Library Preparation

For microbial DNA extraction, fecal samples were thawed on ice and thenresuspended and vortexed in 1-5 mls of phosphate buffered saline. 250 ulaliquots of each sample were added to MO BIO Power Soil htp 96 well DNAextraction plates (MOBIO), following the kit protocol, and DNA waseluted into 50 ul of nuclease free water. For bacterial identification,next generation sequencing libraries were generated in a two-step PCRamplification protocol, using the hot start Q5 high fidelity DNApolymerase following protocol cycling conditions (NEB). First, 1-10 ulof extracted DNA from each sample was amplified using primers that flankvariable region 4 of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) loci. 1 ul of this 16SrDNA PCR product was then used to amplify and attach illumina sequencingadaptors and barcodes. Amplified libraries were cleaned and concentratedwith ZR-96 well plates (Zymogen) and then quantified initially byQuant-iT PicoGreen (Invitrogen), followed by KAPA universal libraryquantification kit (KAPA Biosystems). Equal molar ratios of each 16Slibrary were pooled together and then sequenced on an Illumina miSeq.

Computational Methods: Raw 16S Sequence Analysis

All raw 16S sequence analysis was performed using the QIIME suite oftools as described in Caporaso, J. G., Kuczynski, J., Stombaugh, J.,Bittinger, K., Bushman, F. D., Costello, E. K., et al. (2010). QIIMEallows analysis of high-throughput community sequencing data. Naturemethods, 7(5), 335-336 hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety,version MacQIIME 1.9.1-20150604 (world wide websitewernerlab.org/software/macqiime), except where noted. All steps wereperformed with the standard parameters and databases associated withthis version of MacQIIME except where noted. Paired end sequencing readswere converted from FASTQ to FASTA format and joined on their 3′segments using the ‘join_paired_ends.py’ QIIME script. Closed referenceoperational taxonomic units (OTUs) were selected from the resultingjoined reads using the ‘pick_closed_reference_otus.py’ QIIME script andreference database that is bundled with this version of MacQIIME. Theresulting table consisting of raw read counts will be referred to as the“OTU Table.” Taxonomies were summarized from the cumulative relativeabundances OTUs on each level of the tree (i.e. Phylum, Class, Order,Family, Genus, and Species) using the ‘summarize_taxa.py’ QIIME script,and then these tables were merged using the ‘merge_otu_tables.py’ QIIMEscript. This table consisting of relative abundances will be referred toas the “Taxonomy Table.”

Computational Methods: Alpha Diversity Calculations

Alpha diversity was measured on the OTU Table first by rarefying at aneven depth of 15,000 reads per sample using the‘multiple_rarefactions_even_depth.py’ QIIME script then the‘alpha_diversity.py’ QIIME script using the following alpha-diversitymetrics: ace, berger_parker_d, brillouin_d, chao1, chao1_ci, dominance,observed_otus, shannon, simpson, and simpson_e.

Computational Methods: Beta Diversity Calculations

Beta diversity analysis was performed on the OTU Table using the‘jackknifed_beta_diversity.py’ QIIME script and a rarefaction value of7,000 reads per sample, producing both weighted and unweighted UniFracdistances across the dataset.

Computational Methods: PICRUSt Analysis

Functional metagenomic analysis on the 16S dataset was performed byPICRUSt analysis on the OTU Table. The OTU abundances were normalizedfor 16S copy number using the ‘normalize_by_copy_number.py’ PICRUStscript followed by metagenome prediction with the‘predict_metagenomes.py’ script. The gene functions were then organizedhierarchically according to KEGG (world wide website genome.jp/kegg/)orthology hierarchies.

Computational Methods: Linear Mixed Effect Model for Feature Association

Linear Mixed Effect Model for Feature Association is a statisticalframework applied to datasets derived from both OTU and PICRUStanalysis, both referred to as the “feature matrix” with samples in rowsand features in columns. The R Markdown script“Kostic_FeatureAssociation_01.Rmd”, can be opened in a text file reader.The feature matrix is pre-normalized to make it compositional (i.e. eachrow sums to 1). The data is then filtered to remove features with thelowest variance. The feature matrix is matched against the metadata file(i.e. “mapping file”) sample-by-sample, and then each metadata variableis tested independently for inclusion into the linear mixed effect (LME)model using the ‘Maaslin’ R package. For all features that correlatewith metadata variables of interest, a plot is produced and assessed byeye to determine the strength of the correlation.

Example II

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly elevated in abundance after running a marathon: Family:Veillonellaceae; Genus: Veillonella. Averages of 16S sequences, groupedby study participant type (sedentary controls, athletes before race, andathletes after race) show approximately a 12 fold increase in abundanceof the Veillonella genus between athletes after running the marathon andcontrols (FIG. 1A). Additionally, on average, there is approximately a 2fold increase in Veillonella abundance in athletes after the race ascompared to before (FIG. 1A). Longitudinal analysis of microbialcomposition in athletes show a spike in Veillonella abundanceapproximately one day after running the marathon (3.5 fold abovepre-marathon levels), which returns to levels similar to that ofcontrols, approximately four days after the marathon (FIG. 1B). Speciesin this genus grow on and ferment lactate (lactic acid). Lactate is abyproduct of anaerobic energy production in muscles under intenseexercise and build up has been shown to cause the burning sensationduring intense physical activity which leads to muscle fatigue andtightness. The disclosure provides that increased Veillonella abundancein athletes, particularly after the marathon, indicates an increase inlactate levels, and relates to a microbial response to clearing excesslactate through fermentation. The disclosure provides a method ofincreasing Veillonella abundance to reduce lactate and improve endurancefor extended intense exercise, by preventing lactate buildup.

Example III

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly elevated in abundance after running a marathon: Family:Ruminococcaceae; Genus: Faecalibacterium. Averages of 16S sequences,grouped by study participant type, show approximately a 2 fold increasein Faecalibacterium abundance in athletes after the marathon as comparedto controls (FIG. 1C). Higher levels of Faecalibacterium are associatedwith health and anti-inflammation. The disclosure provides a method ofincreasing Faecalibacterium abundance in athletes to reduce inflammationand improve recovery.

Example IV

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly reduced in abundance after running a marathon: Family:Veillonellaceae; Genus: Phascolarctobacteria. Averages of 16S sequences,grouped by study participant type, show a 40 fold increase inPhascolarctobacteria abundance for controls as compared to athletesbefore the race, and a 70 fold increase in abundance compared toathletes after the race (FIG. 2A). Decreased levels ofPhascolarctobacteria has been associated with inflammatory boweldisease, indicating a potential for anti-inflammatory functions.Therefore, lower levels of Phascolarctobacteria in athletes, especiallyafter running the marathon, may indicate higher inflammation levels. Thedisclosure provides a method of increasing Phascolarctobacteriaabundance in athletes to reduce inflammation and improve recovery.

Example V

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly reduced in abundance after running a marathon: Family:Ruminococcaceae; Genus: Oscillospira. Averages of 16S sequences, groupedby study participant type, show a 10 fold increase in Oscillospiraabundance in controls as compared to athletes before the race (FIG. 2B).This genus has been shown to be negatively correlated with blood lactatelevels (lactic acid), with a reduction in genus abundance when bloodlactate levels are high. The disclosure provides a method of increasingOscillospira abundance to reduce lactate and improve endurance forextended intense exercise, by preventing lactate buildup.

Example VI

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly reduced in abundance after running a marathon: Family:Ruminococcaceae; Genus: Ruminococcus. Average of 16S sequences, groupedby study participant type, show the presence of the Ruminococcus genusin controls as compared to essentially zero presence in athletes (FIG.2C). This genus has been shown to be negatively correlated with bloodlactate (lactic acid) levels, with a reduction in genus abundance whenblood lactate levels are high. The disclosure provides a method ofincreasing Ruminococcus abundance to reduce lactate and improveendurance for extended intense exercise, by preventing lactate buildup.

Example VII

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly reduced in abundance after running a marathon: Family:Bacteroidaceae; Genus: Bacteroides. Average of 16S sequences, grouped bystudy participant type, show a 34 fold and 97 fold increase in controlscompared to athletes before and after the marathon, respectively (FIG.3A). Bacteroides abundance has been correlated with health,anti-obesity, and anti-inflammation. The disclosure provides a method ofincreasing Bacteroides abundance in athletes to reduce inflammation andimprove recovery and to reduce obesity.

Example VIII

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly reduced in abundance after running a marathon: Family:Lachnospiraceae; Genus: Blautia. Average of 16S sequences, grouped bystudy participant type, show the presence of the Blautia genus incontrols as compared to essentially zero presence in athletes (FIG. 3B).Blautia abundance has been associated with anti-inflammation. Thedisclosure provides a method of increasing Blautia abundance in athletesto reduce inflammation and improve recovery.

Example X

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly reduced in abundance after running a marathon: Family:Christensenellaceae. Average of 16S sequences, grouped by studyparticipant type, show the presence of the Christensenellaceae family incontrols as compared to essentially zero presence in athletes (FIG. 3C).Members of this bacterial family have been associated with anti-obesityfunctions. The disclosure provides a method of increasingChristensenellaceae abundance in individuals to reduce or preventobesity.

Example XI

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly elevated in abundance after running a marathon: Family:Veillonellaceae; Genus: Dialister. Average of 16S sequences, grouped bystudy participant type show a presence of the Dialister genus inathletes as compared to essentially zero presence in controls (FIG. 4A).This genus has been correlated with reductions in levels of thepro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-6, so as to provideanti-inflammatory functions. The disclosure provides a method ofincreasing Dialister abundance in athletes to reduce inflammation andimprove recovery.

Example XII

The following bacteria was identified in an athlete as beingsignificantly elevated in abundance after running a marathon: Phylum:Cyanobacteria. Average of 16S sequences, grouped by study participanttype show a presence of the phylum cyanobacteria in athletes as comparedto essentially zero presence in controls (FIG. 4B). Cyanobacteriaproduce vitamins and ferment carbohydrates in the gut for energyproduction. A higher abundance of cyanobacteria in athletes indicateshigher energy demands. The disclosure provides a method of increasingCyanobacteria abundance in athletes to improve energy metabolism andperformance.

Example XIII

The disclosure provides administering one or more bacteria from genusVeillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genusOscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia,family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, and phylum cyanobacteria.The bacteria of the above examples found to be altered in abundancebetween participant types is summarized in FIG. 5.

Example XIV

The disclosure provides administering one or more bacteria forxenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism. This pathway pertains to thedegradation of harmful chemicals, drugs, pollutants, and toxins. Thedisclosure provides that a reduction in this pathway (see FIG. 6A)renders athletes, after running a marathon (or other intense physicalexertion) more susceptible to harmful agents in the body (some which maybe a results of cellular inflammation). The disclosure provides a methodof restoring the xenobiotic metabolism pathway, by increasing theabundance of bacterial species which promote it, to promote recovery andoverall health in athletes.

The disclosure provides administering one or more bacteria for starchand sucrose metabolism. This pathway pertains to the breakdown ofcarbohydrates, which many runners are known to load up on as a source ofenergy before a race. The disclosure provides that a reduction in thispathway (FIG. 6B) renders athletes, after running a marathon (or otherintense physical exertion) depleted of bacteria that aid in energyharvest from carbohydrates. The disclosure provides a method ofrestoring the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway, by increasing theabundance of bacterial species which promote it, to promote endurance inathletes by enabling longer and more efficient energy extraction fromfood.

Example XV

The disclosure provides a method of enriching and/or isolating a lacticacid fermenting bacterial species. A biological sample, such as a fecalsample, is contacted to a substrate including lactate (lactic acid) andthe biological sample is incubated for a period of time and at a desiredtemperature sufficient for growth of any lactic acid consuming bacterialspecies. Lactic acid consuming bacterial species may then be isolatedfor further processing or testing or harvested or purified for use as aprobiotic supplement using methods known to those of skill in the art.The incubated sample may be analyzed for presence of lactic acidconsuming bacterial species, such as sequencing using next generationsequencing methods as are known in the art.

A particular exemplary lactic acid consuming bacterial species isVeillonella as described herein. According to one aspect, Veillonella isenriched within and isolated from a fecal sample. Fecal samplescollected from athletes were resuspended into 2 ml of Phosphate BufferedSaline and vortexed to homogenize. Serial dilutions of resuspendedsamples were made and then seeded onto lactate agar plates, which perliter, includes: 5 g yeast extract, 0.75 g sodium thioglycolate, 0.002 gof Gram Basic Fuchsin, 21 ml of 60% sodium lactate, and 15 g of agar.Lactate agar was adjusted to a pH of 7.5 before autoclaving andsupplemented with 7.5 ug/ml of vancomycin after autoclaving. Lactateplates seeded with diluted fecal samples were grown at 37° C. underanaerobic conditions for 48-96 h, at which time individual colonies werepicked for sequencing and glycerol storage. For determining efficiencyof Veillonella enrichment, lactate plates seeded with diluted fecalsamples were harvested for DNA after 48-96 h of growth and processed fornext-generation sequencing to access percentage of bacterial isolatesidentified as Veillonella, and compared to original fecal samples.

FIG. 7 depicts results of the process showing enrichment of lactic acidfermenting Veillonella species from athlete fecal samples. While theVeillonella species are typically present at less than 1 percent infecal microbial communities, growth on lactate agar results inenrichment and can result in up to 100 percent enrichment, including theindividual species: Veillonella atypical, Veillonella parvula, as wellas unclassified species of the Veillonella genus. In this manner,numerous Veillonella species can be purified from athlete gutmicrobiomes and then tested for efficacy, as a probiotic supplement orincluded in a probiotic formulation, in reducing lactic acid levels inathletes to prevent fatigue and soreness, and promote endurance.

1. A probiotic composition formulated for administration to a human,comprising at least 10⁵ CFU of Veillonella bacteria.
 2. The probioticcomposition of claim 1, wherein the probiotic composition furthercomprises one or more bacteria selected from the group consisting ofFaecalibacterium, Phascolarctobacteria, Oscillospira, Ruminococcus,Bacteroides, Blautia, Christensenellaceae, Dialister, Lactobacillus, andCyanobacteria.
 3. The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein theprobiotic composition comprises Veillonella atypica.
 4. The probioticcomposition of claim 1, wherein the probiotic composition comprisesVeillonella parvula.
 5. The probiotic composition of claim 1, whereinthe probiotic composition comprises Veillonella parvula and Veillonellaatypica.
 6. The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein the probioticcomposition further comprises one or more Lactobacillus bacteria.
 7. Theprobiotic composition of claim 1, wherein the Veillonella bacteria arelive bacteria or dead bacteria.
 8. The probiotic composition of claim 1,wherein the probiotic composition further comprises one or moreprebiotics, minerals, vitamins, or amino acids, or any combinationthereof.
 9. The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein the probioticcomposition further comprises one or more neutraceutical compounds. 10.The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein the probiotic compositionfurther comprises one or more flavoring agents.
 11. The probioticcomposition of claim 1, wherein the probiotic composition is formulatedfor oral delivery.
 12. The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein theprobiotic composition is encapsulated.
 13. The probiotic composition ofclaim 1, wherein the probiotic composition is a dietary supplement. 14.The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein the probiotic compositionis a dietary supplement formulated to improve athletic training,performance, and/or recovery.
 15. The probiotic composition of claim 1,wherein the probiotic composition is formulated as an ingestible liquidmedium, a gel medium, a food stuff, a food product, a beverage, a freezedried product, a powder, a yogurt, a capsule, a tablet, a pill, agelatin capsule, a caplet, a chewable formulation, or a dissolvableformulation.
 16. The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein theprobiotic composition is formulated as a food product or food stuff. 17.The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein the probiotic compositionis formulated as a food product or food stuff, which further comprisesprebiotics, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, or anycombination thereof.
 18. The probiotic composition of claim 1, whereinthe probiotic composition is formulated as a powder food stuff.
 19. Theprobiotic composition of claim 1, wherein the probiotic composition isformulated as a powder food stuff, which further comprises prebiotics,minerals, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, or any combination thereof.20. The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein the probioticcomposition is formulated as a yogurt.
 21. The probiotic composition ofclaim 1, wherein the probiotic composition is formulated as a yogurt andthe yogurt is a yogurt drink or a yogurt-based beverage.
 22. Theprobiotic composition of claim 1, wherein the probiotic composition isformulated as a beverage.
 23. The probiotic composition of claim 1,wherein the probiotic composition is formulated as a beverage, whichfurther comprises one or more prebiotics, minerals, vitamins, aminoacids, proteins, or any combination thereof.
 24. The probioticcomposition of claim 1, wherein administration of the probioticcomposition to a human increases the population of Veillonella bacteriawithin the human.
 25. The probiotic composition of claim 1, whereinadministration of the probiotic composition to a human increases ormaintains training endurance or performance endurance of the humanduring physical exercise.
 26. The probiotic composition of claim 1,wherein administration of the probiotic composition to a human reducesmuscle fatigue of the human during or following physical exercise. 27.The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein administration of theprobiotic composition to a human reduces lactate levels of the humanduring or following physical exercise.
 28. The probiotic composition ofclaim 1, wherein administration of the probiotic composition to a humanreduces inflammation of the human during or following physical exercise.29. The probiotic composition of claim 1, wherein administration of theprobiotic composition to a human increases energy metabolism and/orpromotes weight loss of the human.
 30. A kit, comprising the probioticcomposition of claim 1 and instructions for administration of theprobiotic composition to the human.